Our experiences

Eddie Bird, a client of the Hear and Say Centre in Brisbane, with his mum, Stephenie.

People have different experiences with using aids, equipment and other types of assistive technology, including modern devices like tablet PCs and smartphones with inbuilt accessibility features.

Disability Online has spoken to parents and people with a disability about their experiences with using assistive technology.

• Jocelyn Bartlem shares how technology has helped her feel ‘connected' again after sustaining a spinal injury. She also talks about the work she is doing to raise money for equipment to support clients at Queensland's Spinal Injuries Unit. More…
• David Woodbridge has worked as a Technology Consultant at Vision Australia for more than 20 years—assessing, recommending, and installing assistive technology solutions at client's homes, educational institution, and place of work. David, who is blind, is also an accessibility tester for Apple. He shares his story...
• Eddie Bird has had bilateral cochlear implants, and is using technology as part of therapy at the Hear and Say Centre to help him with his communication. More…
• A Gold Coast mum, Maree, shares how her daughter, Grace, who has Down syndrome, uses her iPad to support her with her learning. More…
• Liam and Mitch are 2 young boys who used iPads in the AEIOU Foundation's specialised early intervention program in 2011, as part of a research trial with Griffith University. Liam's mum, Yvonne; and Mitch's mum, Shelley; talk about the boys' experiences, and share their tips with using technology for other parents. More…

More information

You may also be interested in finding out about:

• Tablet PCs in education settings—how contemporary technology devices like iPads are being used by professionals including speech pathologists, auditory-verbal therapists and teachers to help students with a disability develop new skills.
• Information about funding assistance for aids, equipment and assistive technologies.
• Advice about how you can get help with choosing the right assistive technology options.
• Assistive technology resources, including links to helpful app guides, suggestions from experts about choosing apps and advice for people with different types of disability about assistive technology options that may suit them.